Codek is the brainchild of Jean-Marie Salaun who grew up in Paris influenced by the folklore of the inner city. In 1978 he joined art rock group SpionS and collaborated with Robin Scott (M "Pop Music"). He began working as Codek, a play on the brand name Kodak with the "Me Me Me" single released in 1980. In 1981 the "Tam Tam"/"Closer" single was released on West African Music, a tiny label from the Ivory Coast, and re-released a year later by Island Records in the UK (where the B-side was re-named "Tim Toum"). "Tam Tam" was inspired by Burundi drummers playing in the plaza in front of Beaubourg where the song was recorded